Kimora Lee Simmons is charting a new course as a single mother following the end of her 12-year marriage to Tim Leissner. The former Goldman Sachs banker, who began a two-year prison sentence in February, filed for divorce just days before his incarceration, requesting joint custody of their 11-year-old son Wolfe and seeking to terminate spousal support.
Despite the personal upheaval, Simmons remains surrounded by a tight-knit family. She is mother to five children and a "bonus son," creating a modern blended family she affectionately compares to The Brady Bunch—"but with no husband."
"I'm really protective," Simmons told E! News. "Whatever they need, I'm there. Whatever's a problem, I'm there."
Her children range from adults to teenagers: daughters Ming, 26, and Aoki, 23, from her previous marriage to Russell Simmons; son Kenzo, 16, with ex Djimon Hounsou; son Gary, 16; and Jayden, 19, who has lived with the family since fourth grade. The family recently reunited on screen for Simmons' E! reality series Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane, though she joked about the negotiations required to get her daughters on board.
"I had to bribe them," she admitted, noting their requests included a sports car and designer workwear. "They took advantage, so it actually cost me more to do this production."
Simmons' eldest daughters are forging their own paths. Ming, who grew up walking Baby Phat runways with her mother, now runs her own beauty brand while pursuing modeling. Aoki graduated from Harvard University at just 20 years old, balancing academic achievement with fashion campaigns.
Through divorce and public scrutiny, Simmons' priority remains clear: "I want them to be happy. I want them to be well-adjusted. I want all the best things for them." Her expansive family continues to be her anchor as she navigates life's unexpected turns.